You can watch almost every NFL game in 2026 without a cable subscription, but the games are now split across broadcast TV, five streaming services and NFL Sunday Ticket. The cheapest setup costs nothing beyond a TV antenna; the most complete one can top $1,000 for the season.
Below is which service carries which games, what each costs as of October 2026, and the setup we would pick for each kind of fan.
Quick answer: the cheapest ways to watch
- Free: an HD antenna gets your local CBS, FOX and NBC games, including Sunday Night Football and the Super Bowl broadcast.
- About $22 a month: antenna + Peacock Premium ($12.99) for streaming Sunday Night Football + Prime Video ($8.99) for Thursday Night Football.
- Everything in one app: YouTube TV ($82.99) carries CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network in most markets. Add Sunday Ticket for out-of-market games.
Which service has which NFL games (2026)
| Games | Where they air | Cheapest way to stream |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday afternoon (AFC-heavy) | CBS | Antenna (free) or Paramount+ Essential $8.99/mo |
| Sunday afternoon (NFC-heavy) | FOX | Antenna (free) or Fox One $19.99/mo |
| Sunday Night Football | NBC | Antenna (free) or Peacock Premium $12.99/mo |
| Monday Night Football | ESPN / ABC | ESPN Unlimited $31.99/mo (some games also on ABC) |
| Thursday Night Football | Prime Video (exclusive) | Prime Video $8.99/mo or Amazon Prime $14.99/mo |
| Christmas Day games | Netflix | Netflix Standard with ads $8.99/mo |
| Out-of-market Sunday games | NFL Sunday Ticket | YouTube / YouTube TV (from $240 for new customers) |
Streaming service prices (October 2026)
| Service | Price | What you get for football |
|---|---|---|
| Peacock Premium | $12.99/mo or $129.99/yr | Sunday Night Football live |
| Prime Video | $8.99/mo (or $14.99/mo with Amazon Prime) | Thursday Night Football, Black Friday game |
| Paramount+ Essential | $8.99/mo or $89.99/yr | Your local CBS NFL games |
| Fox One | $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr | Your local FOX games, multi-view |
| ESPN Unlimited | $31.99/mo or $319.99/yr | Monday Night Football, ESPN games, NFL Network |
| YouTube TV Base | $82.99/mo | CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| NFL+ | $6.99/mo or $49.99/yr | Live local and primetime games on phones and tablets only |
Prices are U.S. list prices before tax and can change; promotions and free trials vary.
NFL Sunday Ticket 2026: what it costs
Sunday Ticket is the only legal way to watch out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. It is sold by YouTube.
| Customer | Price for the 2026 season |
|---|---|
| New customers (YouTube TV or standalone) | $240 |
| Returning, with YouTube TV | $378 |
| Returning, standalone on YouTube | $480 |
| YouTube Premium members (offer through Nov. 2) | $204 |
| Students | $109 |
The setup we would pick
Budget fan: antenna + Peacock + Prime Video
About $22 a month. You get every local CBS, FOX and NBC game free over the air, Sunday Night Football in the Peacock app, and Thursday Night Football on Prime Video. You miss Monday Night Football games that air only on ESPN.
Every national game: antenna + Peacock + Prime Video + ESPN Unlimited
About $54 a month. Adds Monday Night Football and NFL Network. Cancel ESPN after the season.
Out-of-town fan: YouTube TV + Sunday Ticket
$82.99 a month plus $240–$378 for the season. The most complete option, and the only one with every out-of-market game.
What it means for you: 4 ways to pay less
- Try an antenna first. A $25–$40 HD antenna pays for itself in one month if you can get local channels. Check your address on the FCC DTV reception map.
- Subscribe by the month. Pay for Peacock or ESPN only during the season, then cancel in February.
- Check bundles you already have. Some phone and internet plans include Peacock, Netflix or Paramount+. See our streaming bundle comparison.
- Avoid “IPTV” sellers. Cheap boxes and apps that promise every channel for $10 are unlicensed and can stop working mid-season.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch NFL games for free?
Yes. Local CBS, FOX and NBC games are free with an HD antenna, including most Sunday games and the Super Bowl.
What do I need for Thursday Night Football?
Prime Video. Thursday Night Football streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in 2026.
Is Sunday Night Football on Peacock?
Yes. NBC’s Sunday Night Football streams live on Peacock Premium, and it also airs free on NBC.
What is the cheapest way to get NFL RedZone?
RedZone is an add-on to live TV services such as YouTube TV and Sling. Prices depend on the service and package.
Sources: Peacock, ESPN, FOX One, YouTube Sunday Ticket, 9to5Google, Amazon, Consumer Reports.
